Vivitar makes auto extension tubes for Nikon and they're metal - got very good reviews on Amazon and only $90 for the set. I'm interested in getting an auto set and would also like recommendations from those who use them.

I just called our local Ritz camera store and they are not closing. No other information was available - I guess they are restructuring and keeping the higher volume stores open - nothing on sale in my location either.

Ha! Most of my stuff is wireless now - I hated all those wires and was really glad to get rid of them when I got an iMac in 2010. There's still a bunch (for router, scanner, usb extender, etc.) under my desk but out of sight!

That's pretty cool - haven't seen that but I could see that being the best system for multiple old hard drives. I've removed a few drives from old laptops and bought cases for them - the cases come with a usb cord. This is much cleaner than Jerry's rig when you only have a few drives (the cases I bought were $6 to $10 and very sturdy). This makes them portable - it's like having a large thumb drive.

Even if a large majority or your shots are "perfect" there are likely to be some that will require some post-processing. Post-processing raw files is infinitely better than post-processing jpg files. All of my keepers require some work - I only shoot raw everywhere.

The pixel count is fixed based on the camera's sensor - it never changes. Any lens put on a 1.6 crop sensor camera will operate as if it were 1.6 x the lens mm on a full frame sensor camera - so the 35mm lens on this camera is equivalent to about 56mm lens on a full frame camera. The number of pixels are the same. Better glass will provide sharper images and could improve other issues such as CC.

[quote=martinneff]I currenly use a Sony DSLR with a kit lens. To maximize sharpness for 16x20 and larger prints am I better off purchasing a better lens or a camera with a larger sensor(35mm equivalent) assuming I am already using a tripod and maximizing DOF?[/quote

Rent a good quality lens to see if that makes a significant improvement. That should enable you to make the right decision.

That's a wow! I'd like to know what lens you used.

Steve, the Canon SX 40 is a really nice light weight "all purpose" camera - probably the best bridge camera currently available. It's limitations are that you cannot use another lens, its output is only jpeg - no raw capability so that puts limitations on post-processing, no external flash capability, and many other differences from a dslr - too many to list. So it depends on what you want. My wife and both daughters like taking photos and wanted a better camera than their old point & shoots but didn't want the heavy bulky dslr and have no intention of doing any post processing other than eliminating red eye and cropping and some other tweaks. So two years ago I got all three the Canon SX 30is (the predecessor to the SX 40). They all take really nice photos and the camera suits them well. It's also a great second camera to always have with you and as a backup to a dslr - I've used my wife's camera when I'm too lazy to get mine out (not very often). If you're not sure about your passion for photography yet then the SX 40 is a good camera to wet your appetite!

I like winning!! But will never do that again - probably something else just as stupid.

BTW - I've done much worse - last year we went to Africa and I bought my wife a Canon SX 30is which she loves. To "help" her I went through the menus and set it up - big mistake, I should have let her do it - I enabled the date stamp, which it turns out is fairly large on that camera. After taking over 3,000 pictures she realized that the date stamp was really there and not just on the lcd screen - she was furious with me - I promised to remove it in photoshop on any that she requested - well I've probably done several hundred and taken many many hours - good learning experience in Photoshop - some were very difficult.
So, your error doesn't come close to mine! Hope you feel better!

Ha - I'm having a rotten day at work and you made me laugh - thank you. At least you are experimenting with your camera and learning its capabilities - kudos to you! Keep it up.

I figured that was the reason for moving the flash forward but can't see what coupling you used on the flash - you have a shoe that you can thread the velcro through? Nice job.

Wow! Please post some photos using that rig. Don't go near any military bases with that or we may not hear from you again!

In addition to the advice given so far you should use manual focus. The camera autofocus will often be confused by trying to focus on the window, close branches, etc. You'll hear the focuc motor going in & out. I suggest that for close to the road subjects that you set the manual focus to 30-50 ft depending on the road and at infinity for distance focusing. You'll also need to pan as the bus moves otherwise it will be blurred. I got some good shot when traveling on a bus through Costa Rica last year using these suggestions. Have a great trip.